Adding the sweet flavor of summer stone fruit to a tangy barbecue sauce is a simple and delicious twist on tomato-based barbecue sauces. Cook nectarines with smoky chipotles, onion, a bit of ketchup, and brown sugar, then blend it all until smooth. Add a hit of vinegar for a sweet-tart sauce that’s great slathered on grilled chicken or smoked ribs.

What to buy: We like the tart-sweet flavors of yellow nectarines over white nectarines in this recipe. Yellow peaches can be substituted for the nectarines.

Game plan: The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Let it come to room temperature before using.

Instructions

1Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, chipotle, garlic, and measured salt. Season with pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes.

2Add the ketchup and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and slightly darkened in color, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine, and cook until the mixture is bubbling around the edges, about 5 minutes.

3Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the nectarines are completely softened and starting to fall apart, about 15 to 20 minutes.

4Transfer the mixture to a blender. Remove the small cap from the blender lid (the pour lid) and cover the space with a kitchen towel (this allows steam to escape and prevents the lid from popping off). Blend until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Gail Simmons gives us her list of pantry must-haves. Ingredients you should always have around to enhance and boost the flavor of all your meals. It's the little things that keep life interesting. Read more here.

Chefs Joanne Chang and Karen Akunowicz from Myers + Chang in Boston, show us how to use lemongrass. It's the central ingredient in their Green Monster, infusing the stir-fry with unique bright, citrusy, and floral-herbal fragrance. Read more.